Blantyre

Construction on the buildings of the 220-acre estate that is now Blantyre started in 1901, modeled after a feudal castle with towers, turrets and gargoyles. The main house was outfitted with furniture from England and for decades it served as a venue for grand dinner-dances and garden parties. In 1981, the property was acquired by the Fitzgerald family and converted for use as a "country house hotel," now acclaimed among the finest accommodations in the world.

Guests have a choice of several forms of lodgings. There are eight guest bedrooms and suites, many with fireplaces, on the second floor of the main house. Four private cottages are on the grounds nearby. The Carriage House contains another ten guest rooms, five on the ground level with patios and five suites above them on the second floor.

Breakfast is included in all room rates and served in the exquisite dining room of the main house. Lunch and dinner are available from a Prix Fixe menu, with dishes prepared by renowned Chef Christopher Brooks. In the evening, gentlemen must wear a jacket and tie. Of note, the Blantyre's cellars stock over 19,000 bottles of wine.

Other amenities at Blantyre include the Potting Shed Spa with its common-use sauna, hot tub, steam room, and fitness area. Lawn sports, tennis, hiking, swimming, ice skating, and cooking lessons can be arranged on the premises. Blantyre is located in the Berkshires at 16 Blantyre Road, Lenox, Massachusetts 01240. It is about three hours from New York City and two hours, 15 minutes from Boston.